Furry friend finders highlight small-town benefits

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/01/2022 (1402 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I moved to a small town this fall, and felt a bit lonely. I told the new people I was meeting that I was making a resolution to bring more “fur babies” into my life. When word got out — and it travels fast in a small community — opportunities quickly started coming my way. I now have two young cats and a puppy. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier! There are a lot of nice people around here.

— Fur Baby Mom, rural Manitoba

Dear Fur Baby Mom: Pets soon become a warm and loving part of your life, and they give back so much! Plus, you’ve also discovered another of life’s secrets. Isn’t it amazing how fast things start to roll when you speak your intentions out loud, and people hear them?

Most people enjoy having a part in making another person’s dream come true, even if it’s just to pass on the wish to someone else who can help. In small communities where everyone knows everyone, word can get around fast, and sometimes a wish can come true surprisingly quickly!

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: Last year I was unhappy about myself and made four major New Year’s resolutions. By Jan. 10, I’d scrapped all of them, except one. I was a couch potato and dangerously overweight, and my worried sister gave me this “watch“ to start counting my steps as a Christmas gift.

Forget that! I was really annoyed at her implied criticism of my body. But, it cost her quite a bit, so I reluctantly strapped it on. Then, I was too lazy to take it off.

After two days it beeped at me for battery charging. I glanced at it — and was shocked. It had faithfully counted my steps for that day — thousands of them. I’d accidentally walked miles while working in my big office building. I quietly experimented with eating less junk food and walking home from work.

Well, it’s been a year and I’ve lost 65 pounds. I’m just back into some old 34-inch jeans from university, and I’m feeling great. I have to admit that some new year projects — even if someone pushes you — actually work. I feel a lot happier in my new body.

So, I made a new year’s resolution this new year to shave my scruffy beard off and reveal my face — hopefully without the old double chin. My pushy sister got wind of that that, and is rushing over with clippers this week — no surprise there! Seriously, I now think new year’s projects can better your life, especially if you have a pushy person behind you to help you get rolling.

— Gutless and Soon Beardless, South St. Vital

Dear Gutless: Write back to let us know how it felt to submit your furry face to your sister’s clippers! How does it feel having your face exposed? Now, think about this — you have 11 more months to go before New Year’s 2023. You could be a movie star by then — I’m only half kidding! Hopefully, the Winnipeg movie-making scene will be back in force, and you could be an “extra” in a locally made film and celebrate the new you onscreen.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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